Merle Haggard-The Fightin’ Side Of A Legend (VIDEO)

Merle Haggard is truly one of the "Legends." He would help to establish the "Bakersfield Sound," and his soothing yet "edgy" vocals, amazing guitar work, and original songs have made him a major inspiration to Nashville's new "up-and-comers." Miranda Lambert, among others, credits the "Hag" as her biggest musical hero.

His life has been the epitome of a true Country-Western song. His parents left Oklahoma and headed for California during the "dust bowl" of the '30s. Merle had to endure the death of his father at nine, and four stints in jail including a stay in infamous San Quentin where he ran a gambling and brewing operation from his cell. Only after a chance to escape, that he turned down led to the shooting of a police officer, did he decide to turn his life around for good.

The Fightin' Side Of Me, was a follow-up to Merle's, Okie From Muskogee. It was also one of his most successful songs. Merle wrote it and released it in 1970. Toby Keith once called it "the original Angry American song."